September 11, 2009
Popular Create Your Canada contest expands across Northwest
SMITHERS – Create Your Canada, an innovative contest that challenges students to write federal laws to improve Canada, is expanding to school districts across the riding this year, Skeena-Bulkley Valley MP Nathan Cullen said.
“We’re really excited to open the contest to students right across the Northwest,” Cullen said today. “We had such an overwhelming and positive response last year when we launched the project in School District 54 (Bulkley Valley).”
Once again, junior and senior winners from Grades 5-12 will fly to Ottawa to watch Cullen present their bills on the floor of the House of Commons.
Cullen proudly pointed out that last year’s winning entries created a stir among MPs, who enthusiastically supported proposals banning the export of asbestos from Canada and building bicycle lanes to encourage activity and reduce pollution. He noted several MPs are also running the contest in their own ridings this year.
Cullen designed Create Your Canada to engage young people in creating meaningful change and understanding how parliamentary democracy works.
“Students realized in working through their projects that individuals of any age can potentially make a huge difference in how Canada functions,” he said.
Over 100 entries were submitted last year and touched on issues relevant to Canadians’ everyday lives, including healthy lifestyles, climate change, strong families, improved federal infrastructure, and responsible federal development and humanitarian aid.
Students and teachers interested in the web-based Create Your Canada contest are encouraged to check out details at http://www.createyourcanada.ca. The site includes last year’s winning entries and full lesson plans for Grades 5-12.
Contact: Shelley Browne, 250-877-4142, .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
